Men's Golf

Zach Smith Named Big West Golfer of the Month for February

Zach Smith (Photo by Tony Mastres)

Mar 02, 2017

IRVINE, Calif. - UC Santa Barbara junior Zach Smith (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley HS) recorded a pair of top-three individual finishes and helped his squad to a team championship in earning Big West Men's Golfer of the Month for February.

"After taking second in the Saguaro Men's Amateur in early January Zach continued his outstanding play with 7 out of 9 rounds at par or better while leading our team to first, second, and fifth-place finishes," said UCSB head coach Steve Lass. "He is a very important piece of our puzzle right now and is playing with a high-level of confidence."

Smith shot par or better in six of nine rounds over three tournaments.

He carded a 2-under 214 en route to a runner-up finish at the Folino Invitational. Smith was one of just two players to shoot below par for the tournament on the 7,211-yard Industry Hills Golf Club course. Smith recorded consecutive rounds of 71 before posting a 72 on his last 18.

Smith then helped the Gauchos win the Pro Compression Invitational in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the program's second of the season. UCSB also won the Bill Cullum Invitational in the fall. Smith, who actually led the field of 68 competitors through 36 holes, fired a 4-over 76 over the final 18. However, he collected back-to-back sub-70 rounds of 66 and 68 to position himself for medalist honors. He ended up in a tie for third.

At the Del Walker Invitational hosted by Long Beach State, Smith helped the Gauchos tie for fifth out of 15 teams. He posted rounds of 76, 70 and 71 for a 7-over 217. He tied for 17th overall to tie with teammate Brandon Bauman for top team scoring honors.